The sour taste in the mouth is disturbing and unnerving. Unpleasant taste sensations in the mouth outside of food consumption are a sign of a large number of diseases.
There is such a gastronomic concept as aftertaste. And it is not always pleasant. This is a reaction to stimuli from the taste buds located on the tongue and the inner surface of the cheeks.
A sour taste in the mouth can be the result of using lemon, vinegar, and various marinades for cooking. During the period of not eating food, no foreign tastes should be felt in the oral cavity. If the aftertaste does not go away, or any additional symptoms appear, then the cause of this phenomenon should be identified.
Causes of discomfort
The taste in the mouth tells about the health of the whole body.
The reasons for the appearance of acid in the oral cavity can be both diseases of various organs and a joyful event - the onset of pregnancy.
Possible diseases that cause an unpleasant aftertaste:
- increased acidity of gastric juice;
- excess production of hydrochloric acid;
- disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract - pancreas, reflux disease;
- periodontal diseases;
- the presence of crowns or fillings made of different metals in the oral cavity - such combinations form a galvanic couple and a physical and chemical reaction of electrolysis takes place in the oral cavity;
- electrolyte imbalance;
- dehydration of the body;
- taking medications;
- impaired bile formation and liver pathology - as a result of eating fatty and heavy foods; pregnancy in the middle and late stages - the growing uterus compresses the stomach and hydrochloric acid refluxes into the esophagus and oral cavity.
All these processes are accompanied by additional symptoms. Therefore, if you regularly experience an unpleasant sensation in the oral cavity, you should undergo a comprehensive examination.
If at the same time there is pain in the epigastrium, nausea, and stool disorder, then you need to urgently contact a medical institution.
The following video will familiarize you with the causes of sour taste in the mouth:
Early signs of pregnancy
For women with a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. However, there are other early signs of pregnancy that you should also pay attention to.
During pregnancy, a distinction is made between obstetric and embryonic periods.
Gynecologists count the obstetric period from the first day of the last menstruation, due to a simpler calculation, since the exact date of ovulation and conception is difficult to determine.
How do the first symptoms of pregnancy appear:
Each woman is individual, which means the first signs of pregnancy are not always identical. In this connection, it is difficult to notice the first symptoms, which may occur even before the delay.
The complete absence of early symptoms of pregnancy in the first weeks is very rare, and this is due to the increased level of sensitivity of the woman’s body to hCG (a hormone produced by the embryo in the first 14 days of its development).
And since this condition is not observed often, in most cases, it is still not difficult to notice the period of the first symptoms of pregnancy.
Among which a woman has:
- Feeling sick or vomiting (usually called morning sickness, but can happen at any time of the day or night).
- Metallic taste in the mouth.
- Flatulence (bloating).
- Dizziness.
- Feeling tired (common during pregnancy).
- Increased emotionality, depressed mood.
- Chest pain (manifests in the early stages).
At the same time, you may notice other signs of pregnancy:
- Constipation;
- Increased vaginal discharge (without pain or irritation);
- Strange tastes, smells and cravings for foods that previously disgusted you;
- Or, conversely, in the early stages of pregnancy you may find that you no longer enjoy some foods and drinks that you previously enjoyed;
- Loss of interest in smoking;
- The breasts become larger and there are diseases, as before menstruation;
- Veins may become more visible and nipples may darken and stand out.
In the early stages of pregnancy, frequent urination may be a concern. And such symptoms are easily confused with cystitis. This is why treatment without consulting a doctor can be harmful.
So, if you crave new foods, lose interest in certain foods or drinks you used to enjoy, such as tea, coffee or fatty foods, have a more sensitive sense of smell than usual, such as the smell of food or cooking, you often go to the toilet - talk to your doctor.
If you're sick all the time and can't suppress anything, see a therapist.
You may have hyperemesis gravidarum, a serious condition during pregnancy that causes severe vomiting and requires treatment.
Can pregnancy occur during menstruation?
Pregnant women sometimes experience bleeding that feels like a very light period, with some spotting. This is called “implantation bleeding,” which women confuse with real menstruation. This condition does not require treatment and, especially, the prescription of hormonal drugs - progesterone!
According to leading gynecologists, discharge in the early stages of pregnancy is almost always possible. However, implantation bleeding stops a little earlier than menstruation.
And this happens due to the fact that the fertilized egg, trying to attach to the wall of the uterus, causes slight bleeding.
Therefore, we can say with confidence that pregnancy does not happen if you have your period. If normal menstruation occurs, it means that the egg was not fertilized.
Delayed menstruation without accompanying symptoms is also not the main criterion for pregnancy. Since the reason may lie in a woman’s hormonal imbalance, which is provoked by stress, nervous strain, heavy physical activity or gynecological pathologies.
It is always very important to listen to your health and visit a gynecologist in a timely manner - this will help not only not to miss the first signs of pregnancy, but also gynecological pathologies.
What to do if you notice the first symptoms of pregnancy?
If you find clear signs of pregnancy in the first two weeks, you need to consult a gynecologist.
If pregnancy is confirmed, you need to listen to the doctor’s recommendations, get rid of bad habits (if any) and adjust the correct diet.
And of course, don’t forget about planned visits to the gynecologist, which are prescribed by the doctor on an individual basis.
Planned appointments for ultrasound examinations, tests, monitoring are the responsibility of the gynecologist managing the pregnancy.
During pregnancy, three scheduled ultrasounds are prescribed - once in the first trimester, in the second and sometimes in the third.
Additional unscheduled ultrasound examinations of a pregnant woman may be performed according to individual indications. This should not scare you, as it is necessary for making timely decisions to avoid certain complications.
Comprehensive support for women during pregnancy, qualified organization and support of childbirth is the main specialization of the Irkutsk City Perinatal Center. Here, all young mothers receive full medical care with an individual approach from doctors.
Acid and sweet
Acidity in the mouth is not a very pleasant sensation
A pure taste sensation is rare. Since there are receptors in the oral cavity for determining and analyzing various combinations.
In a pathological process, acid may predominate, but in most cases other flavors are also present. This provides additional information to find the cause of the unpleasant sensation.
Sweet and sour taste is caused by the following conditions:
- increased blood glucose levels due to stress, physical exertion;
- state of depression;
- excessive consumption of sweets;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- liver pathologies;
- toxic effects of pesticides, gaseous chemicals;
- smoking cessation period;
- diabetes with a slight increase in blood glucose levels, a latent form of the disease;
- pathologies of the maxillofacial system, which are accompanied by purulent processes - gum disease, caries, periostitis, gumboils and abscesses.
Before contacting a doctor, you should analyze the factors that contribute to the appearance of a sour taste in the mouth.
Features of treatment
Before eliminating an unpleasant taste in the mouth, it is imperative to find out the cause of its appearance. To do this, you first need to consult with a therapist, who, after an initial examination and interview, will refer you to a gastroenterologist. Depending on the disease, treatment may involve taking medications or adjusting your diet.
Diet food
If an unpleasant taste appears, especially if it is a symptom of a digestive tract disease, the pregnant woman needs to change her diet. A few recommendations for creating a diet menu:
- exclude smoked, fatty, fried foods from the menu;
- include fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet, but do not get carried away with cabbage and legumes;
- eat more iron-containing foods - buckwheat, apples, pomegranates, seaweed and liver;
- The basis of the dishes should be lean meat and fish, which can be boiled, baked in the oven or steamed.
Equally important is the frequency and regularity of food intake. If you have gastrointestinal diseases, you need to eat often, but the portions should be small. Under no circumstances should you overeat, but you shouldn’t starve either.
Drug therapy
What medications can help with bitterness or sourness in the mouth? Medicines for pregnant women are prescribed only by a doctor, taking into account medical indications. The treatment regimen directly depends on the cause of the unpleasant taste in the mouth. The following groups of medications are most often prescribed:
- prokinetics - affect the motor function of the stomach (Domperidone, Cerucal, Motilium, Itoprid, Fractal, Osetron);
- antisecretory drugs - Rennie, Almagel, Maalox, Phosphalugel;
- preparations containing iron - Maltofer, Aktiferrin, Sorbifer, Ferlatum, Venofer;
- enzymes to improve digestion - Pancreatin, Creon, Mezim, Festal, Somilase;
- multivitamin complexes - Elevit, Vitrum, Complivit Mama, Pregnakea, Materna, Femibion.
Traditional medicine
How to get rid of acid or bitterness in the mouth using traditional methods? The most effective decoctions of medicinal herbs and vegetable juices are:
- To eliminate bitterness, it is recommended to regularly drink vegetable juices, especially carrot juice;
- Potato juice is suitable for rinsing;
- if the unpleasant taste in the mouth is associated with dental problems and inflammation of the gums, rinsing with chamomile decoction will help;
- To disinfect the oral cavity, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with a solution of soda and salt.
Acid and bitterness
A bitter taste indicates a disruption of the liver and bile ducts. It may appear occasionally, but may bother you regularly.
Possible causes of a bitter-sour aftertaste:
- significant errors in nutrition - the liver is simply not able to cope with so many fatty, heavy, spicy foods, alcoholic drinks;
- alcoholism - the liver suffers first;
- treatment with aggressive drugs - a long course of antibiotics, antihistamines, and other medications;
- those who like to smoke a cigarette at night.
If we consider bitterness in the oral cavity in terms of the intended diagnosis, then most often it is cholecystopancreatitis, erosion of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, gastritis.
Metal
The reason may be unhealthy teeth or gums.
A metallic taste in the mouth can be caused by metal crowns or fragments of dentures. In this case, you should discuss with your dentist the issue of replacing them. When making a diagnosis, exclude:
- diseases of the periodontium and maxillofacial system with obvious signs of a purulent process;
- bleeding from the gums;
- poisoning with salts of heavy metals - such taste sensations are caused by mercury, zinc, arsenic, copper;
- diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation with a slight change in blood sugar levels;
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- chronic bleeding due to stomach ulcers;
- hormonal disorders;
- taking certain medications. The appearance of such sensations is facilitated by drugs from the NSAID group and anticonvulsants. When the drug is discontinued, the metallic taste disappears on its own.
Acid and milk
Sour taste is common during pregnancy
This is a rare sensation, since in normal conditions it is caused only by the consumption of fermented milk products. When such an aftertaste appears, one can assume:
- chronic stress;
- infection with intestinal parasites;
- various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Outside of food intake, a sour milk taste in the mouth appears along with additional symptoms. This is a reason to contact a medical institution as soon as possible.
Sour taste in pregnant women
The appearance of such an unpleasant aftertaste in a pregnant woman is facilitated by 2 metabolic processes associated with the process of bearing offspring.
You can thank for the acid in your mouth:
- The hormone progesterone. This is a necessary condition for pregnancy. This substance helps relax muscle tissue, preventing the development of fetal rejection. Ideally, it should act only on the muscles of the uterus. But in reality, all smooth muscles relax, including the muscles of the stomach and esophagus.
- The growing uterus puts pressure on the hollow organs. There is a reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus and oral cavity. The result is heartburn and an acidic taste in the mouth.
In this case, taking an antacid is indicated at the discretion of the gynecologist. But first you should exclude diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug of choice can be Gaviscon in any convenient form.
How to keep your teeth and gums healthy during pregnancy?
When planning a pregnancy, it is very important to prepare the oral cavity and carry out a complete sanitation. However, if after pregnancy there are still teeth that require treatment, they definitely need to be cured! During pregnancy, teeth can not only be treated, but also necessary! You need to warn the dentist that you are expecting a child, then he will select a safe anesthetic with less adrenaline. It is advisable to carry out dental treatment from the second trimester of pregnancy, but if necessary, it can be done in the first if there is a risk of complications. Starting from the 20th week, you can carry out x-ray diagnostics of teeth using the latest methods of computer visiography, which are absolutely safe for both the expectant mother and the child.
If we talk about prevention, the most important aspect for maintaining a healthy oral cavity is proper nutrition (reducing carbohydrate intake, introducing calcium-rich foods into the diet), taking vitamin and mineral complexes prescribed by a gynecologist.
And, of course, proper dental care. Complete hygiene includes brushing your teeth 2 times a day in the morning and in the evening after meals. The use of additional hygiene products in the form of dental floss, interdental brushes, tongue scraper and anti-inflammatory elixirs. Please note that all hygiene products are selected for you by your dentist INDIVIDUALLY!
It is necessary to visit the dentist every 3 months for a follow-up examination and remineralization therapy. Remineralizing therapy involves artificially impregnating dental tissues with the necessary mineral components that are so necessary during pregnancy. Also, if necessary, professional oral hygiene is carried out (once every six months). It includes removing tartar and plaque using ultrasound and an Air Flow device, and thoroughly polishing the surface of the teeth using professional pastes.
All materials used are absolutely harmless to both the woman and the baby. After professional hygiene, the surface of the teeth is covered with a special remineralizing composition. Conducting remineralization therapy once every 3 months and daily proper dental care will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums during pregnancy.
